Pipe-wrench



J. G. SMITH.

PIPE WRENCH.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25. 1921.

Pamnted July 12 19210 INVENTOR /m A TTORNE Y UNHTEED STATES PATENT @F-FHQEO JOHN G. SMITH, 0F FALLS MILLS, VIRGINIA.

PIPE-WRENCH.

Application filed. February 25, 1921.

Z '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I JoHN G. SMrrI-I, a citizen of the United tates, residin in the city of Falls Mills and State of \firginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Piperenches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to pipe wrenches, and the object is to provide a. simple, ellicient and durable pipe wrench having certain adjustable elements whereby the jaws may be readily adjusted upon the pipe; and also having locking elements for securely holding the jaws in engagement with the pipe.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the wrench in use upon a pipe, the locking chain being thrown in;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the wrench, with the locking chain thrown out ready to en 'age the pipe;

ig. 3 is a top plan view;

Fig. 4,, a bottom plan view;

Fig. 5 is a detail of the upper jaw;

Fig. 6 is a detail of the lower jaw and connecting pivotal knuckle;

Fig. 7 is a detail of the locking chain.

The invention consists of a handle 1 at the forward end of which is pivotally connected an upper jaw 2. This connection is made by mortising the aw 2 at its rear end so as to form a slot 5 and the forks 3. These forks straddle the forward end of the handle 1, and the pivot .4 is inserted transversely through the ends of the forks and through the handle 1, at a point somewhat back from the extreme forward end of the handle. The slot 5 is extended forwardly into the lower side of the upper jaw so as to provide arecess 6 adapted to receive the forward end of the handle 1, and when in this position, the handle 1 and the upper jaw 2 are in straight alinement. A loop 7 is passed from side to side of the rear ends of the forks 3 and across the lower edges thereof, leaving a recess 8 for the accommodation of the spring 9. This spring 9 is rigidly attached at 10 to the forward end of the handle 1 at the lower edge thereof, the free end being adapted to play into the recess 8- and against the loop '7, thus normally holding the handle and the upper in straightaway alinement. A mortise 11 is formed at the forward lower corner of tie upper jaw,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 112, 1921..

Serial No. 447,761.

and a lock chain 12 is pivotally mounted therein by means of a pivot 13, passed transversely through the sides of the mortise and through the end link of'the chain. This lock chain is of peculiar construction, being made up of a series of shouldered links 14 pivotally connected together by the pivots 15. The forward end of the handle 1 is chamfered away at each side, and a pivotal knuckle 16 is perpendicularly joined thereto. This connection is made by mortising out the end of the knuckle so as to provide the two forks 17 adapted to straddle the end of the handle, after which a pivot pin 18 is passed through the forks, and through the end of the handle, thus locking the knuckle pivotally in place. The extended recess aforesaid in the lower side of the upper jaw is adapted to receive both the forward end of the handle and the upper end of said pivotal knuckle. A lower jaw 19 is now provided and is mortised out at its rear end to afford the forks 20 adapted to straddle the lower end of the knuckle 16 to which it is pivotally attached by means of the pin 21. The forward end of the lower jaw is mortised out in such manner as to form a mortise to snugly engage any two adjacent links of said lock chain in such a way as to prevent the longitudinal movement of the chain through said mortise. The inner face of the upper jaw may be curved out transverselyv as shown at 22 to more efficiently engage the curved surface of the pipe; likewise as to the lower jaw, if desired.

This construction forms a strong, efficient and durable pipe wrench which may be readly adjusted to any ordinary pipe as 23, the jaws automatically spreading and adjusting themselves to the pipe, after which the lock chain is thrown into the mortise which holds the forward ends of the jaws from spreading. Upon a downward movement of the handle 1, a very strong leverage pressure is transmitted through the jaws and upon the pipe, thus preventing the jaws from sliding over the surface of the pipe, and enabling the pipe to be turned.

While I have herein described a certain specific method of constructing and assembling the elements of my invention, it is understood same may be varied in minor details, not departing from the spirit of my invention as defined in the appended claim.

W hat I claim to be new and patentable is:

A. pipe wrench comprising a handle; a

jaw forked at its rear end for straddling the forward end of the handle and pivoted thereto at a point back from the handle end; a loop connecting the rear ends of the forks across the under side of the handle so as to leave a space thereunder; a fiat spring attached by one end to the forward end of the handle at the under side and having its free end disposed under said loop; another jaw menace a knuckle pivotally connecting the rear end 1 of the last named j aw with the forward end of the handle; and means for releasably locking together the forward ends of the two said jaws.

JOHN G. SMITH.

Witnesses: A. S. HUDGINS,

H. J. TABoR. 

